Nearly three-quarters of UK women are unaware that menopause can trigger new mental illnesses, a recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) has revealed. The survey found only 28% of women know a new mental illness can be associated with menopause, while the vast majority correctly link it to hot flushes and reduced sex drive.
Dr. Lade Smith, president of the RCPsych, stated that menopause has a significant, often overlooked impact on women's mental health. The report highlights that perimenopausal women are more than twice as likely to develop bipolar disorder and 30% more likely to develop clinical depression. Hormonal and physical changes can also trigger or worsen eating disorders, and suicide rates are higher among women of menopausal age.
The RCPsych is calling for urgent action from health services and governments to improve care, integrate menopause and mental health into medical training, and implement workplace policies addressing this connection.
A separate study from University College London found 58% of black women in the UK felt uninformed about menopause, with many experiencing psychological distress. Over half reported anxiety, yet many were misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression instead of menopause.
Davina McCall, TV presenter and author, supports the RCPsych's statement, emphasizing that lack of knowledge and stigma prevent vital conversations and support for women during this vulnerable period.
Sonja Rincón, 43, shared her seven-year journey of being misdiagnosed with depression while experiencing perimenopause symptoms, underscoring the critical need for better GP training to recognize perimenopause in younger women.